Microsoft seeking Xbox Live beta testers for new update

From time to time, Microsoft puts out the word that it's seeking beta testers for new Xbox Live updates. Microsoft put out a similar call back in July to get gamers signed up to test updates to the Xbox 360 Dashboard. Yesterday, Microsoft put out another call for testers for the next version of Xbox Live.

As you might expect, not everyone will be allowed to participate in the beta but those that are accepted will get the update to the new version of the Xbox Live software over the next few days. Participants in the beta will be testing out several new features, including Internet Explorer for Xbox, recommendations and ratings, pinning and favorites, enhanced category search and discovery features, and a new voice search feature available in specific markets. Microsoft said it decided to make the public call for beta testers after receiving such a huge response in July from gamers wanting to participate.

People who want to try to participate in the beta test can register live.com. Microsoft warns that heavy traffic to the link could mean it's unavailable at times. It's unclear exactly how many beta testers Microsoft is looking for this time around.

The only thing Microsoft has said is that it is accepting "far more" beta testers this month than it did in July. However, for all we know the beta tester spots could be full already. Gamers accepted into the beta test will have to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Microsoft says that any gamer who violates the NDA will not only be removed from the beta test, but also will be banned from future beta tests and removed from Xbox Live until the end of the beta.